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Trump’s Firing of BLS Commissioner Draws Bipartisan Criticism, Spurring Search for Successor

The White House says it will nominate a new leader to ensure more transparent and reliable labor data

Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council, answers questions from the media at the White House Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Washington.
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Overview

  • President Trump ousted Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after the July report showed just 73,000 jobs added and downward revisions totaling 258,000 for May and June.
  • White House advisers Kevin Hassett and Jamieson Greer defended the removal by pointing to repeated sizeable revisions and pledging fresh leadership to bolster data trustworthiness.
  • The BLS explained that monthly revisions reflect additional employer submissions and seasonal factor recalculations and are part of its standard methodology.
  • Economists and former commissioners, including William Beach and Larry Summers, said there is no mechanism for political manipulation of the statistics and warned that the firing undermines the agency’s credibility.
  • Lawmakers from both parties have condemned the dismissal, called for congressional review, and cautioned that politicizing the BLS threatens confidence in U.S. economic indicators.